Bow-guide eor violin s



WITNESS S. KELES.

aow eums FORVIOLINS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9| l9l9- Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

A Z Z I NVE NTDR a AT'TFJRDJEY SOLOMONKELES, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

BOW-GUIDE FOR VIOLINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16,1919.

Application filed June 9, 1919. Serial No. 302,668.

To all whom; it may concern:

'Be it'known that I, SoLoMoN KELns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stamford, county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Bow-Guides for Violins, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention has for its object to pro vide a simple, light, and inconspicuous attachment for violins and other viol instruments, for the purpose of assisting the performer in bowing correctly, and more pan 1 ticularly for training a pupil or beginner to draw the bow in a direct line at the proper distance from the bridge and at a right an gle to the strings by the approved arm and wrist movement; which attachment may be easily and quickly applied or removed, which will not injurethe instrument or affect the tone thereof, and which is of such a character that, as the proficiency of the pupil increases, and the correct use'of the bow becomes habitual, the device may be gradually dispensed with. in such a manner as to permit the player comparative freedom of action while serving as a reminder to call attention to any material deviation from the correct movement.

The foregoing and other ob]ects of the invention, together with means whereby the same may be carried into effect, wlll best be understood from the following description of certain forms or embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a violin having the attachment applied thereto and illustrating the cooperation of the attachment with the bow.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of one of the attachment members.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the attaching clamps.

As shown in Fig. 1, the complete attachment comprises a pair of similar members 19 and 20 adapted to be attached to a violin in spaced parallel relation so as to form between them a transverse guide for the bow at the proper distance from the bridge. As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, each of said members preferably comprises a length of resilient wire 10 covered by suitable cushioning material 11, such as rubber tubing. The wire 10 is bent to form a cen tral, upwardly curved guiding portion 12 and two end portions 13 which extend outwardly from the central portion 12 and are thereafter bent downwardly to cooperate with the side faces ofthe violin body insuch a manner as to retain the member in transvverse position on said body. The resilience of the device may be sufiicient for this purpose, but for additional security, and in order to insure the holding of the central guiding portion 12 in upright position with respect to the face of the instrument, there are preferably provided clamping plates, 14 carrying felt or other pads 15, said plates having ears 16 pivoted to lugs 17 secured tr or formed integral with the wire 10,-and being engaged at their outer sides by the innei ends of screws 18 in threaded engagement with the downwardly bent end portions 13.

In operation two complete members of the character above described are applied to the instrument by springing the ends '13 thereof apart sufficiently to enable them; to pass downwardly over the opposite. sides of the waist of the instrument, the screwsglS being tightened to -force the-plates 14: into tight engagement with the side faces of said waist. The two members are secured to the instrument in positions at right angles to the strings and are spaced apart a distance just sufficient to permit the passage between them of the bow when held in proper playing position, said members being so located as to cause said bow to engage the strings at the proper distance from the bridge. Engagement of the central guiding portions 12 of the two guide members with the bow will prevent said bow from slipping upwardly or downwardly on the strings a material distance out ofiits proper position, and will also compel the player to hold and move the bow in a substantially straight line at right angles to the strings. The spacing of the two guide members is preferably such as to permit such movement of the bow, when held in proper position, without engaging either of said members, deviation from this position or movement, however, bringing said bow into engagement with one or the other of said members to serve as a reminder that the bow is being improperly drawn, said members being sufficiently resilient to yield if the bow is pressed against them with any considerable force. As the proficiency of the player increases, the member 19 nearest the bridge may be removed, allowingthe player increased freedom of action, the other mem ber 20, however, coming into engagement with the bow upon any material deviation of said bow from its position at right angles to the strings, and also preventing outward movement of said bow toward the finger board, which is the error most common to unskilled players, particularly when somewhat fatigued.

It will be seen that the attachment is of such a character as not in any way to mar either the instrument or the bow or to affect the tone quality of the instrument, since the parts thereof which are engaged by the bow are covered by the cushioning material 11, and since no portion thereof engages the belly, finger board, or other vibrating part of the instrument, the latter result being accomplished by the employement of attaching means, such as the plates 15, which engage the side faces of the instrument body at the waist, which plates are further provided with the cushioning pads 15.

While the invention is herein shown as applied to a violin, it will be obvious that the same could be applied with equal advantage to other viol instruments such, for example, as violoncellos, bass viols, Violas, etc.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A bow guide for violins comprising a resilient wire bent to form a curved guiding portion and end portions bent outwardly and downwardly from the guiding portion, and having means cooperating With both side faces of a violin body to retain the guide in place without contact with a vibrating part of the instrument.

2. A bow guide for violins comprising a resilient wire bent to form a curved guiding portion and end POI'tiOIlS bent outwardly and downwardly from the guiding portion, clamping plates pivoted to the end portions and adapted to engage the side faces of the instrument body, and set screws engaging the clamping plates.

3. A bow guide for violins com rising a member having a central bow gui ing portion and downwardly turned end portions, lugs adjacent said end portions, clamping plates pivoted to said lugs and adapted to engage the side faces of an instrument body, and set screws in the lugs which bear against the clamping plates.

4. A bow guide for violins comprising a resilient wire bent to form a curved guid ing portion and end portions bent outwardly and downwardly from the guiding portion, a tube of cushioning material covering the guiding portion, clamping plates pivoted to the end portions, cushioning pads carried by said plates, and set screws in the end portions which bear against the plates.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

SOLOMON KELES. 

